Skip to content

How to play Best Ball.

Best Ball is the classic friendly team match. Each side counts only its best score on a hole, so a partner can bail you out, and the match is counted in holes won.

Players
2 to 4 players, in two sides
Scored in
Holes won
Good for
Two against two, or one against one. The classic friendly team match.

The rules

  1. Split into two sides of one or two players.
  2. On each hole, each side counts only its best score.
  3. The lower best score wins the hole. The same score halves it.
  4. The match is counted in holes: 2 UP means your side has won two more holes than the other.

An example hole

Ann makes 4 and Cal 6 for Team A. Ben and Dan both make 5 for Team B. Team A's best is 4 against Team B's 5, so Team A wins the hole and goes 1 UP.

Who wins

The match ends once a side leads by more holes than are left. "Won 3&2" means 3 up with only 2 to play.

Handicaps

Off the low man by default: the best player plays off scratch and everyone else gets the difference.

A tip

When your partner is safely on the green, you can take on the risky shot.

Ways to set it up in YipLinks

  • Handicap strokes: Off the low man or Full handicaps. Off the low man is usual for a match: the lowest handicap plays off 0.

More games for your group

Stroke Play

Every shot counts. Lowest total wins.

1 to 4 players. Read the rules

Skins

Every hole is worth a skin. Win a hole outright to take it.

2 to 4 players. Read the rules

Nassau

Three matches in one: the front nine, the back nine and all 18, a point each.

2 to 4 players, in two sides. Read the rules

Wolf

Take turns as the Wolf: pick a partner each hole, or go it alone.

3 or 4 players. Read the rules

Stableford

Points for every hole against par. Most points wins.

2 to 4 players. Read the rules

Vegas

Two teams of two. Your two scores make one number: a 4 and a 5 is 45. Low number wins the difference.

4 players, in two teams of two. Read the rules

Sixes

Three six-hole matches, a new partner for each. A point for each match you win.

4 players. Read the rules

Nines

Three players share 9 points a hole: 5 for the best score, 3 for the next, 1 for the last.

3 players. Read the rules

Low Ball, Low Total

Two teams of two, two points a hole: one for the best score, one for the lower team total.

4 players, in two teams of two. Read the rules

Quota

Points for every hole against a target set by your handicap. Beat your quota by the most to win.

2 to 4 players. Read the rules

Bingo Bango Bongo

Three points a hole: first on the green, closest once all are on, first in the hole.

2 to 4 players. Read the rules